Skin Gourmet - 100% Organic All Natural Skin Care Products made from the finest ingredients in Ghana, West Africa

Detoxifying Clay

Never heard of detoxifying clay before? Well, then you may be very surprised to hear that it’s a “healing clay” that cleanses and heals the body. In fact, many people enjoyGhanaianClay benefits by taking internally (in other words, drinking and eating it), on top of using it externally on the skin.

Our Clay is sourced in the Wilds of Northern Ghana. We get our clay from termite and ant mounds. If you use our clay you will realize that the color of the clay and theconsistency will change. This is normal for any product sourced from the wild because in order to be sustainable we cannot harvest one mound for too long so as not to harm the insects. Each mound has its own special characteristics. However, all of them are healing and extremely beneficial for the skin, hair and body.

Clay face masks benefit the skin by using capillary action to absorb substances on and beneath the skin's surface. They can absorb sebum, bacteria, water and various toxins and irritants from the skin and can exfoliate dead skin cells and blackheads without friction.

When using a powdered clay, it is best to use distilled or bottled water to minimize impurities. Prepare for your mask by steam cleaning your face, which can be done by boiling therapeutic skin herbs in a large pot of water, removing the pot from the heat and positioning your head over the pot, draping it with a towel to allow the steam to collect on your face. Steam cleaning opens pores, making it easier for the clay mask to absorb impurities.

Fill a sink half full of hot water and place a towel over your head. Lean your face over the sink for three to five minutes to steam your face and soften the oily buildup, which allows the clay to draw it out of your pores better. Drain the water out of the sink. You can add essential oils to the water.

- Add water slowly stirring it until you have a smooth and creamy paste

- 2 - 3 drops of essential oils (optional)

Tip: The thicker your clay the longer it takes to dry and the more oil and water it will absorb from your face. Thick clay can take up to 15 minutes to dry. We advise that you make the clay not so thick.

Open a clay mask treatment and apply 1 to 2 teaspoons to your fingers. Spread the clay over your face in a light layer until you can no longer see the skin underneath in circular motions gently (this is how you exfoliate with the clay).

Avoid sensitive areas such as the eyes, and leave a 1/2 inch gap around your mouth. If you have combination skin, do not apply the mask to dry skin areas.

Wait 10 minutes to allow the clay to begin drying. Look at the mask in a mirror to ensure that it has completely changed to a lighter color -- but no longer.

Touch the mask to ensure that none of it comes off on your finger but that it still feels slightly tacky. If any of the mask comes off, let it dry for another one to two minutes.

Splash water all over your face to soften the clay. Continue splashing your face with water while massaging your skin using circular motions to help dissolve the clay. Use a soft washcloth to remove the mask, if necessary.